Episodes

  • Evan Davis makes up crisis management scenarios to see how three CEOs handle a business emergency. To make it more realistic none of the guests know what the predicaments are before speaking to Evan.

    Guests:Kathryn Jacob, CEO of Pearl and DeanDame Inga Beale, former CEO of Lloyd's of LondonJustin King, former CEO of Sainsbury's

    Production Team:Presenter: Evan DavisEditor: Matt WillisProducer: Simon Tulet & Paige Neal-HolderSound: Sarah Hockley & Rod Farquhar

  • A typical career, for many, involves some kind of progression, or at least the expectation of it, until we stop and retire. But is there a better model?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss whether more of us should think about easing into retirement by taking more junior roles, going part time, or switching profession altogether, instead of stepping off a career cliff edge when we reach pension age. Could this expand the number of job opportunities for older workers, whilst also helping younger workers push through the ranks?

    Stepping back isn’t an option open to all, though, and there could be big implications for pensions, so how should older workers begin to calculate if, or when, it might be possible? Evan is joined by:

    Matthew Rideout, founder of Knead & Desire Bakehouse;Sir Howard Davies, chairman of NatWest Group;Zoe Ashdown, head of culture and people engagement at AXA UK and Ireland.

    Thanks also to the listeners who sent in voice notes, and to everyone else who emailed [email protected]

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producers: Simon TulettResearcher: Paige Neal-HolderEditor: Matt WillisSound: James Beard and Rod FarquharProduction co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

    The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.

    (Picture: An older man laughing and looking at a laptop with a young woman in a workshop. Credit: Alys Tomlinson/Getty Images)

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  • The UK’s biggest nightclub operator recently announced the closure of around half of its venues, and with them almost 500 jobs. REKOM UK, which owns the Atik and Pryzm brands, blamed the cost of living crisis hurting its customers, along with increased operating costs. But is there something else going on?

    According to the industry association the number of nightclubs in the UK has more than halved in the last decade, so have younger people – nightclubs’ core customers – lost interest in drinking and dancing the night away? Are landlords eyeing up healthier returns from these enormous spaces by turning them into flats? And how are the remaining venues evolving to attract these, and sometimes older, customers?

    Evan Davis is joined by:

    Peter Marks, chairman of REKOM UK;Mike Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association;Jo Cox-Brown, CEO of Night Time Economy Solutions.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producers: Simon Tulett and Nick HollandResearcher: Paige Neal-HolderEditor: Matt WillisSound: Rod FarquharProduction co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

    The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.

    (Picture: A crowd of people dancing and waving their arms in the air. Credit: Getty Images)

  • It’s easy for people to say they want to buy a particular product, perhaps in the name of sustainability. But how often do individuals actually follow through with these well-meaning intentions? Academics regularly observe a difference between what consumers say they want to do and what they actually do.The gap can cause problems for businesses when they're trying to figure out how to serve their customers. Evan Davis is joined by a panel of business leaders to discuss how they bridge this divide.

    Guests:Andreas Chatzidakis, professor of marketing in the centre for research into sustainability, Royal Holloway, University of London Jake Pickering, senior manager for agriculture, Waitrose Marsha Smith, deputy CEO, IKEA UK Toby Clark, vice president of insights, Mintel

    Production team:Producers: Simon Tulett, and Nick Holland Researcher: Paige Neal-Holder Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Hal Haines Production co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.

  • It's useful to know how you're doing at work, but feedback from managers and colleagues can often be unhelpful, upsetting, or even non-existent. So what's the best way to give and receive it?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss some top techniques, particularly in the tricky area of negative feedback, and the importance of training managers in how to have these conversations. But feedback isn't just about managers - we learn the best ways for employees to receive and act on it.

    Plus, how frequently should an employee's performance be measured - we discuss the pros and cons of the annual appraisal - and whether technology helps or hinders.

    Evan Davis is joined by:

    Catherine Hearn, UK HR director, AmazonKatie Obi, chief people officer, AdvancedMargaret Cheng, HR consultant, executive coach and author of 'Giving Good Feedback'

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettResearcher: Paige Neal-HolderEditor: Matt WillisSound: Graham Puddifoot and Hal HainesProduction co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

    The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.

    (Picture: A woman and a man talking at a desk. Credit: Vladimir Vladimirov, Getty Images)

  • UK consumers are eating less meat than at any point since records began 50 years ago, according to the latest government figures, so how are farmers, processors and retailers responding?

    The cost of living crisis is part of the reason for a recent drop-off in demand, but warnings about meat's impact on the planet and our health might also play a role, and plant-based alternatives have been eating into meat’s market share in recent years.

    So does the industry feel under attack, or are they adapting their businesses and their products to meet these challenges? And what does it take to get an animal from a field to our plate anyway?

    Evan Davis is joined by:

    Anna Longthorp, of Anna’s Happy Trotters;Phil Hambling, head of CSR at ABP Food Group;Charlotte Mitchell, owner of Charlotte’s Butchery.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettResearcher: Paige Neal-HolderEditor: Matt WillisSound: Rod Farquhar and Neil ChurchillProduction co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

    The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.

    (Picture: A butcher arranging meat at store window in Leeds. Credit: Reza Estakhrian/Getty Images)

  • Some major fashion brands have started charging for online returns, or even banning customers who routinely send products back. The companies say that growing levels of returns are hitting their profits, so just how costly is it to process an unwanted dress, and what really happens when we pop it back in the post?

    Evan Davis and guests take us behind the scenes into the hidden world of returns and the mini-industry that has sprung up to deal with the billions of pounds of items rejected by customers.

    It's a growing problem, according to many retailers, with a small number of customers causing particular damage, so what's the best way to tackle it and does the responsibility lie with brands, shoppers, or governments?

    Evan is joined by:

    Robert Kulawik, chief operating officer, Everything5pounds.com;Andy Rough, CEO, ACS Clothing;Dr Regina Frei, associate professor of digital economy, University of Surrey.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettResearcher: Paige Neal-HolderEditor: Matt WillisSound: Rod Farquhar and Neil ChurchillProduction co-ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge

    The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.

    (Picture: A woman putting folded clothes into a cardboard box. Credit: Getty Images)

  • It’s become the mantra of many employers, and the expectation of some employees, but what does bringing your whole or authentic self to work actually mean, and should companies encourage it?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss the pros and cons of a workplace culture in which staff share their personal beliefs, politics and vulnerabilities with colleagues. What impact does it have on employee satisfaction and business productivity? And, at a time of great political and cultural polarisation, how do you prevent the ‘whole self’ ethos stirring up trouble?

    Evan is joined by:

    Nana Berchie, global people director for diversity, belonging and human rights, Arcadis;Octavius Black, founder and CEO, The Mind Gym;Kate Palmer, employment services director, Peninsula UK;Sophia Luu, freelance design researcher and founder of Secrets Worth Sharing.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettEditor: Matt WillisSound: Rod FarquharProduction co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

    The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University.

    (Picture: A woman hiding behind her laptop. Credit: Getty Images)

  • On the agenda for the final programme of the current series is meetings. Virtual or in person, it's difficult to avoid a work meeting. So how do you ensure a good meeting? What should their purpose be, how many people should attend, who should speak and when? Evan Davis and guests discuss.

    GUESTS

    Dave Brittain, Business Development Director, Amazon Fashion Europe

    Phil Jones, MD Brother UK

    Dr. Sarah Woolley, Senior Research Fellow, Warwick Business School

    CLIPS

    Series 3 Episode 3 W1A

    Writer: John Morton

    Rob Mayhew Brother Meeting ManifestoWriter: Rob Mayhew

    PRODUCTION TEAM

    Producer: Julie Ball Editor: China CollinsSound: Rod Farquhar and James Beard Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

  • New medicines with sales in the billions of dollars each year are what every pharmaceutical company dreams of, but how do you create one and can they really justify their often high price tags?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss the changing origins of so-called 'blockbusters' and their importance to the global drug industry, including recent examples like the obesity and diabetes treatments Wegovy and Ozempic, which have made Novo Nordisk one of the richest companies in Europe.

    Plus, as outright cures for some diseases begin to emerge, how can the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare systems agree on what is a reasonable price to pay for them?

    Evan is joined by:

    Sir Patrick Vallance, former president of research and development at GSK, chief scientific advisor to the UK government, now chair of the Natural History Museum;Ruth McKernan, venture partner at SV Health Investors;David Brown, chairman and co-founder of Healx and co-creator of Viagra;Natasha Loder, health editor, The Economist.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettEditor: China CollinsSound: Graham PuddifootProduction co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

    (Picture: Rolls of dollar bills next to a bottle of pills. Credit: Getty Images)

  • For most people, the aeroplane is the default mode of long distance transport Whilst the UK has only two overnight sleeper services, long distance train travel and sleeper services are experiencing a resurgence in Europe. One company OBB, the Austrian State Railway has just ordered thirty new trains, some of which will be in service from December. But are these services mainly for train aficionados, romantics and those scared of flying, or could they become a serious competitor to the plane?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss what's behind this apparent new 'Age of the Train'.GUESTS

    Kurt Bauer, Head of Long Distance Passenger Services and New Rail Business, OBB/Nightjet

    Michael Guerra, Rail Design Engineer and Co-founder, Night X

    Monisha Rajesh, Travel journalist and Author, 'Around the World in 80 Trains'

    Reporter: Lisa Louis

    PRODUCTION TEAM

    Producer: Julie Ball

    Editor : China Collins

    Sound: Neil Churchill and Rod Farquhar

    Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

  • Bad behaviour and big mistakes can destroy careers and even entire businesses if they're not addressed quickly, so why do some companies and their leaders try to downplay or even deny them?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss the culture of defensiveness and denial that exists in some organisations, from the private to the public and charity sectors.

    A former Oxfam worker describes how she was forced to blow the whistle on widespread sexual exploitation and abuse inside the charity, and the panel explores the ways in which leaders can tackle wrongdoing and encourage their teams to call it out.

    Evan is joined by:

    Helen Evans, former head of global safeguarding at Oxfam, now CEO of Cavernoma Alliance UK:John Higgins, researcher on workplace activism and author of “Speak Up: Say What Needs to Be Said and Hear What Needs to Be Heard”;Sarah Miller, CEO of Principia Advisory.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettEditor: China CollinsSound: Graham Puddifoot and Rod FarquharProduction co-ordinators: Gemma Ashman and Sophie Hill

    (Picture: A businessman with his head in the sand. Credit: Getty Images)

  • Elon Musk’s decision to rename Twitter ‘X’ has been met with confusion, and in some cases even anger, but where does it rank amongst the best and worst rebrands?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss the complexity of changing a company or product name, logo and message, the reasons for doing it, and how to make it a success.

    These overhauls can be risky, though, and failure expensive – the panel discusses one the UK’s textbook rebranding disasters.

    Evan is joined by:

    Lee Rolston, chief growth officer at Jones Knowles Ritchie;Caroline Wiertz, professor of marketing at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) – City, University of London;Amanda Mackenzie, former chief marketing and communications officer at Aviva;Keith Wells, founder and director of Brandwell.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettEditor: China CollinsSound: Graham Puddifoot and Rod FarquharProduction co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

    (Picture: The new ‘X’ logo displayed on a smartphone with the old Twitter logo in the background. Credit: Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.)

  • As the UK gets ready to host a major global summit on the safety of artificial intelligence, Evan Davis speaks to one of the technology's leading global figures.

    Demis Hassabis explains how he went from child chess champion to game developer to co-founder of AI research lab DeepMind, which was bought by Google in 2014.

    He discusses Google's answer to ChatGPT and AI's ability to create breakthroughs in science, but also its downsides, including the potential extinction of the human race.

    GUEST: Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind

    PRODUCTION TEAM

    Producers: Joel Moors and Simon TulettEditor: China CollinsSound: Neil ChurchillProduction Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

    (Picture: Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind)

  • From plumbers to electricians, plasterers to builders, most of us need to hire a trader at some point. But what's it like to work in the industry, and how has it been affected by changes such as Brexit, the pandemic and inflation? How should you go about finding a trader who is trustworthy and will deliver quality work?

    In recent decades, going into a 'trade' has not been as strongly encouraged as to going to university, but tradespeople of all kinds are in short supply, so what is being done to encourage more young people to take up a trowel or pick up a drill?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss.

    CONTRIBUTORS

    Chris Day - Electrician, Mayday Electrical Solutions Ltd.

    Kalece Okusanya - Decorator - Suave Property Care

    Will Davies - Co founder , Aspect Property Maintenance

    Tim Balcon - CEO, Construction Industry Training Board

    Peter Gordon - Listener

    PRODUCTION TEAM

    Producer: Julie Ball Editor: China CollinsSound: Tim Heffer and Graham PuddifootProd. Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

  • Many employers say they are desperate to get staff back into the office more often, but what's the best and fairest way to wean employees off remote working?

    As companies from tech to banking grapple with this issue, Evan Davis and guests discuss the productivity pros and cons, the impact on company culture and career progression, and the future of the office space itself.

    With many staff reluctant to give up the flexibility of remote working, is a hybrid model the answer to keeping them happy and how many office days each week should you go for? Plus, where do employees stand legally on return to the office requests, and what happens when workers simply refuse to comply?

    Evan is joined by:

    Kelly Beaver, CEO of Ipsos in the UK and Ireland;Stephen White, Chief Operating Officer of Santander UK;Ranjit Dhindsa, head of employment at Fieldfisher;and Nicholas Bloom, professor of economics, Stanford University.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettEditor: China CollinsSound: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

    (Picture: A businessman staring out of the window of an empty conference room. Credit: Chris Ryan/Getty Images)

  • Is humour the most effective way to get your product noticed? If so, why does it seem that the use of comedy in advertising is in decline? Recent research by Kantar found that 90% of consumers were more likely to remember and purchase a brand if the advert made them smile. So why the downturn? Are multi-national brands looking for a one size fits all approach, or are brands frightened of offending potential customers? Evan Davis and guests discuss.

    PRESENTER: Evan Davis

    GUESTS

    Rory Sutherland, VP, Ogilvy UK

    Lucy Greeves, Author and Creative Strategist

    Dom Dwight, Marketing Director, Taylors of Harrogate and Yorkshire Tea

    ADVERT CLIP: Yorkshire Tea - Induction Training with Sean BeanCourtesy of Taylors of Harrogate, Yorkshire TeaCreative: Lucky Generals Advertising Agency

    PRODUCTION TEAM

    Producer: Julie BallEditor: China CollinsSound: Graham PuddifootProduction Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown

    The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University

  • England’s water companies are under fire – there’s public anger over sewage spills and leaks, and now regulators and government ministers are worried some of them are drowning in too much debt. So what’s gone wrong, and who will pay the price of fixing the industry?

    On the face of it, running a water company seems like a licence to print money – there’s guaranteed revenue, and no competition – but there’s a lot of infrastructure to build and maintain, and strict targets that are getting even tougher and more expensive to hit as environmental concerns grow.

    Many of England’s water firms have taken on very high levels of debt, but have they used it to invest, or pay off their shareholders? And does the regulator, Ofwat, have questions to answer for strangling spending on improvements in a bid to keep customer prices low?

    Evan Davis is joined by:

    Nicola Shaw, CEO, Yorkshire Water;Sir Ian Byatt, Ofwat Director General from 1989 to 2000;Verity Mitchell, UK analyst at Global Water Intelligence.

    PRODUCTION TEAM:

    Producer: Simon TulettEditor: China CollinsSound: Graham Puddifoot and Mike WoolleyProduction co-ordinator: Brenda Brown

    Produced in partnership with The Open University.

  • From The Office and Succession to The Apprentice and Dragons' Den, does the portrayal of business on television inspire or is it a total turn off to budding entrepreneurs? And how challenging is it to create great drama from the world of business? Is 'greed, for lack of a better word, good' as Gordon Gekko from Wall Street would have us believe? Or post financial crash, is the world looking to find a more equitable and kind example of the business world on screen?

    PRESENTER: EVAN DAVIS

    GUESTS

    Ash Atalla, CEO, Roughcut Productions

    Dave Fishwick, businessman, subject of Netflix movie, 'Bank of Dave'

    Nisha Katona, Founder, Mowgli Street Restaurants, Great British Menu judge

    Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, co-writers, 'Industry' , BBC 2 drama series

    Clip from 'Industry' BBC2 Bad Wolf Productions HBO/BBC

    Produced in Partnership with the Open University

    PRODUCTION TEAM

    Producer: Julie Ball Editor: China CollinsSound: James Beard and Graham PuddifootProduction Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown

  • Demand for pre-loved goods has surged in the UK in recent years, with fashion, books and furniture especially popular. So what’s driving this boom in second-hand sales - the cost of living crisis or the increasingly eco-conscious shopper? And how are companies making money from it?

    Evan Davis and guests discuss the business of buying and selling pre-loved products, the growing number of online platforms specialising in them, and the bricks-and-mortar retailers looking to get in on the act.

    Plus, is buying second-hand really better for the environment, and what protection does the customer get when something goes wrong if they’re buying from a stranger rather than a business?

    GUESTS

    Hugh Hurley, CEO, GumtreeAdam Jay, CEO, Vinted MarketplaceAna Estrougo, founder and CEO, The Octopus ClubAdwoa Owusu-Darko, founder, Mini's World and seller on Depop

    Produced in partnership with The Open University.

    PRODUCTION TEAM

    Producer: Simon TulettEditor: China CollinsSound: Graham Puddifoot and Rod FarquharProduction co-ordinator: Brenda Brown